27/05/2026
Speech from Cllr Joanna Kane, the outgoing Mayor of Redditch, at last night's Annual Council meeting:
When I became Mayor, several previous Mayors said to me: ‘it is a year like no other’.
How true that has been. I have attended 175 engagements, seen the best of Redditch and made lots of new friends across our wonderfully diverse community.
There are many people who I would like to thank. In particular, the Royal British Legion, my chaplain Canon Brian McGinley, Father Long and Father Jason at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, all councillors who supported my charity events, last year’s deputy Mayor David Munro, and most of all my husband John for his constant support throughout the year.
I chose the Primrose Hospice and Family Support Centre as my charity because my mother-in-law received care at her home from her local hospice at the end of her life. It has been an absolute joy getting to know the staff and volunteers. I am pleased to announce that during my Mayoral year I raised a total of £4,417 for Primrose. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped in any way.
The key theme for my Mayoral year has been inclusion. So it was a happy coincidence that my first engagement after becoming Mayor was to open Redditch Pride. This was actually for the second time, as I also opened Pride when I was Deputy Mayor in 2024. It was lovely to be asked back!
The most important event of the Mayoral year is Remembrance Sunday. I was privileged to attend the parade in Redditch town centre and lay a wreath at the war memorial. It was deeply moving that so many people attended, and a poignant reminder that love is stronger than hate and that we are at our strongest when we are united.
Other highlights include attending Astwood Bank Carnival, when I was very grateful to Thomas Brothers for being driven in a very cool air-conditioned limo on one of the hottest days of the year. Switching on the town centre’s Christmas lights with Gareth Gates and Father Christmas at a fantastic event organised by Redditch BID. Visiting the award-winning Sea Cadets for a fascinating tour of their base in Crossgates, where young people are gaining valuable life skills and developing their confidence. And meeting the Queen at a Buckingham Palace garden party earlier this month.
Being Mayor also means representing Redditch at events organised by other Mayors across Worcestershire and beyond. This network of Mayors is nicknamed ‘the chain gang’. I would like to extend my thanks to my fellow chain gang members for their friendship as we all supported each other throughout the year.
In this ever-changing world, it’s never been more important to strengthen our friendships across the world. One of my last engagements was to represent the borough at Gruchet-le-Valasse in France, one of Redditch’s five twin towns. And last summer I welcomed visitors from the Tanzanian High Commission to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the twinning of Redditch and Mtwara.
It has been a special privilege to attend a number of vibrant events organised by the Kerala Cultural Association Redditch. These have included Onam, Christmas and Vishu Easter. On behalf of the borough, I would like to thank the many members of the Keralan community who are doctors and nurses at the Alexandra Hospital, providing vital healthcare services for Redditch.
And my final engagement was attending Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s first intercultural Mass on Pentecost Sunday, when parishioners were invited to wear national costume and bring their country’s flags. It was a wonderful celebration of cultural diversity, in a parish where more than 20 different languages are spoken.
Being Mayor has been the honour of my life. Thank you, Redditch.
